The Hanfu, Zhongshan suit (Mao suit), Tang suit, and cheongsam (qipao) are the four most distinctive types of traditional Chinese clothing. Let’s have a closer look at the last three. Qipao (Cheongsam) — the Most Famous Traditional Chinese Dress The cheongsam 旗袍 (qí páo) evolved from the Manchu women's changpao ('long gown') of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). The Manchu ethnic people were also called the Qi people by the Han people; hence their long gown was named qipao ('Qi gown'). Originating in the Qing Dynasty, the cheongsam has mainly developed into Beijing styles, Shanghai styles and Hong Kong styles. There are many differences in decorations, colors, materials, and designs. Beijing's cheongsam style is more traditional and conservative than Shanghai's and Hong Kong's. The colors of Beijing-style qipaos are much brighter and their decoration is more complicated than other styles'. Shanghai-style cheongsams are more commercial and forward-looking. More Western elements are used in the designs and colors of Shanghai-style cheongsams. Hong-Kong-style cheongsams were influenced greatly by European fashions. The sleeves of Hong-Kong-style cheongsams are shorter than the Beijing and Shanghai styles'. The decorations are simpler too. Tang Suit The Tang suit often refers to a type of Chinese jacket rather than the clothing of the Tang Dynasty (618–907). The origin of Tang suit actually only dates back to the Qing Dynasty era (1644–1911). It was developed from a type of the era's Manchurian clothing — the mǎ guà (马褂, 'horse gown'). This name came from the overseas Chinese. As the Tang Empire was famous for being prosperous and powerful in the world, foreigners called the overseas Chinese people "the Tang people" and the clothes they wore were called "Tang suits" (which has been translated as táng zhuāng 唐装). The Tang suit is a duì jīn (对襟, a kind of Chinese-style jacket with buttons down the front) with a Mandarin collar (a band collar) and "frog" buttons (knobs formed of intricately knotted cord). Traditional Tang suits, based on the mǎ guà of the Manchu ethnicity, usually have Chinese characters on them to express good luck or best wishes. The most popular characters include fu (福, 'happiness and good luck') and shou (寿, 'longevity'). Nowadays, Tang suits have become a kind of formal dress worn on some special occasions, such as Chinese New Year, wedding ceremonies, or important events. The Zhongshan Suit — Traditional Formal Attire for Men The Zhongshan suit, also known as the Mao suit overseas, is a type of men's jacket. It was first advocated by Dr Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan in Mandarin, hence Zhongshan suit). The design of Zhongshan suits combines traditional Chinese and Western clothing styles. Zhongshan suits have four big pockets on the front, two up two down, equally spaced left and right. There are five central buttons on the front and three smaller buttons on each sleeve. Zhongshan suits can be worn on formal and casual occasions because of their symmetrical shape, generous appearance, elegance, and stable impression. The colors of Zhongshan suits are various, but usually plain, including black, white, blue, and grey. Wearers choose different colors for different situations. |
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